At national Deepavali event, Anwar says govt committed to addressing issues affecting Indian community

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim greets cultural dancers from the Indian community at the National-Level 2026 Deepavali Celebration at Little India, Brickfields November 14, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 14 Nov 2026 4:06 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — The government remains committed to addressing issues affecting the Indian community in Malaysia, particularly those related to education and welfare, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said this included supporting the development of Tamil schools, promoting the Tamil language and improving the well-being of low-income Indians living in urban areas and estates.

Anwar said the government acknowledged that more needed to be done to effectively address the needs of the Indian community, particularly in education.

“We must also work to address and resolve issues involving Hindu temples, Indian traders and poor Indians living in urban areas and estates,” he said at the national-level Deepavali 2026 celebration in Little India, Brickfields here today.

The celebration, organised by the National Unity Ministry in collaboration with the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI), was also attended by National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh. 

Meanwhile, Anwar stressed that the Madani Government’s approach was to ensure welfare assistance was distributed based on people’s actual needs, regardless of race, in line with efforts to ensure that all segments of society benefited from the country’s development.

He said this approach was reflected in initiatives such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), as well as the RM200 assistance provided to every school pupil in January, regardless of the type of school attended.

“We give every schoolchild RM200. Why? Because we care about their future,” he said.

He also urged Malaysians to uphold the spirit of togetherness, mutual respect and appreciation for the country’s religious, cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity to preserve national harmony.

“Despite our differences in skin colour, religion, culture, language and ethnicity, we share a common humanity. We respect and value one another. That is how Malaysia must remain united and prosper as a nation,” he said. — Bernama